The students of The University of Akron are undergoing a major change while adapting to a mix of both fully online and hybrid classes. Many students who would typically be living on campus are now commuting to campus due to having more classes online and being unable to meet in person for extra curricular activities. These commuting students use Bierce Library to spend extended periods of time studying and completing coursework while they are on campus for in person or hybrid classes. Additionally, students without reliable internet connection or access to computers need to be able to spend hours at a time in the library where they do have access to these things. There are no spaces for students to study in the Student Union, which is now the only place on the main part of campus with any dining options. When students need to spend a significant amount of time in the library, there are no options for food or drinks in the building now that the vending machines have been turned off, water fountains have been covered so they cannot be used, and the Starbucks has been closed despite having the staff needed to operate it.

Aramark removing the Starbucks in Bierce Library also affects the resident students on campus who do not have the space to practice social distancing procedures in the residence halls when studying with other students. The library offers a place for students to study and complete online classes at a safe distance from others. The library also offers a place for residents who do not have the technology required for their online classes to spend the entire day working on their courses. The Starbucks should be reopened in the library because it would allow students to spend more time in the library without needing to leave for coffee or food. The Starbucks in Bierce brings in a significant amount of revenue and it doesn't make sense for it to be closed because it only forces more students into the Student Union to access Starbucks. It is a more sensible and safer decision to open the Starbucks in Bierce Library to offer more dining options for students while on campus in a place that is practical for them to spend extended periods of time working on their classes.